Mail-Order Gift Etiquette

This Christmas, you're thinking of sending mail-order boxes of chocolates to faraway friends. But last year, several people didn't receive cards indicating the gifts were from you, and you want to make sure this year's recipients know. What to do?

1) Say nothing and hope for the best.
2) A few weeks before Christmas, tell your friends that a sweet gift will be coming in the mail.
3) Don't send mail-order presents.

The correct answer: (2) There's nothing wrong with taking a proactive approach here. A few weeks before the intended delivery date, send your friends a holiday note to let them know they should expect something in the mail soon. Also, be sure to let the chocolate company know — politely — of the difficulties you encountered last year with gift notification.